October 6, 2024
Dear WHS Families,
What a spirited week and weekend we had. Students decorated our golf carts and were able to parade them during halftime of our PowerPuff game during the school day and then again at night during halftime of our Homecoming football game. We so appreciate Coach Drais and his team for all he is doing to support our football players during this year of transition. We know there are great things on the horizon for Weston Football! Our cheerleading squad continues to grow as well and they are always so welcome to new members!
I had the pleasure of giving a tour of the building to many members of the Weston High School Class of 1974. I learned so much and was reminded again of how important it is for kids to take chances, break the rules, face the consequences and in the end learn from those mistakes and follow their own goals. We can stand beside them helping them to solidify their goals, knowing they are ever evolving humans who will change their minds. Many members of the Class of 1974 were curious about what the bathrooms looked like these days, another reminder that some things don’t change! Apparently, back then they even had a student lounge nicknamed the Looney Lounge by the kids.
Teenagers are put on this earth to teach the older adults how to adapt, stay young, and listen. As we continue into this school year I’ll be setting up student focus groups highlighting various topics ranging from bathrooms, academic integrity, our school schedule, the cafeteria…you name it, and I’ll also be taking suggestions. We need to hear from our students the best ways we can continue to grow together.
A huge thank you to our PTO for the special treat for staff last Wednesday as well. The hot apple cider bar with whipped cream and caramel was the perfect kickoff to fall!
Reminder: Early Release Day this Friday for staff professional development.
Disabilities Awareness Month
This month we highlight Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The national theme this year is “A World of Opportunities”. We encourage all of our students to get involved in our programs that support our students with developmental disabilities including Unified Sports and Circle of Friends. Both are amazing programs that highlight the strengths of all of our students. A special shoutout goes to Mrs. Kolarich who has been the champion of The Community Cup, our school coffee bar for staff. Students in our Community Program run the coffee shop from ordering supplies to serving our staff. It is certainly the highlight of our week!
Pickup & Dropoff
A reminder to please continue to use the access road for picking up and dropping off students. We also must keep the fire lane clear, especially at the end of the day with so many students pouring out of the building. We want to make sure we aren’t inhibiting anyone’s line of sight, especially our security guards as they man the crosswalk. I have received positive feedback that pickup can take less time when we all follow the flow of traffic and the guidelines. Thank you to all of you who are supporting the safe entrance and exit of our students.
PACT this week
This week our 9th graders will participate in our Fall Trash Talk assembly to remind students the importance of responsible waste disposal practices. Our 10th and 11th graders will be doing their Digital Readiness Check for the Fall of administration of our PSAT/NMSQT on October 16th and our 12th graders will be beginning their “Am I Ready” Personal Statements for their Portrait of the Graduate portfolios.
World Language Tutoring & The Seal of Biliteracy
Attention World Language students! Stop by the Language Lab to get tutoring or participate in enrichment activities with fellow students from the Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish Honor Societies. The lab will be open every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 2:30 to 3:00. We hope to see you there!
Seniors and parents were sent this letter regarding eligibility for the CT Seal of Biliteracy.
WHS Company
This week the Company is in full swing with rehearsals for their fall Production of Unexpected Developments! Get ready for a night of laughter as students take on classic tales with chaotic and comedic twists! Unexpected Developments is a series of three One Act plays. The Actor's Nightmare by Christopher Durang tackles every actor's worst fear of showing up for a production completely unprepared. For George he not only does not know he lines, but he doesn't even know what show he is in! The other two one acts are by playwright Laura Neill Juliet Wakes Up and The Revenge of Gertrude. Both plays are a dark comedic take on classic Shakespearian tales. What happens if Juliet did not die at the end of Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet's mother took the throne of Denmark? Be sure to keep checking back for ticket information so you can find out! This will absolutely be a must see production!
National Honor Society(NHS) Induction Ceremony
Our NHS Induction Ceremony will take place on October 16th at 7pm, this is a change from the calendar date of October 9th. Thank you for understanding as we continue to review applications and notify students. The October 16th ceremony allows time for students to be able to submit their acceptance for the November 1st college application deadlines.
School Pictures
Robert Taylor Photography will be at Weston High School once again on Tuesday, October 8th (D Day) for school pictures. Students in periods 2 or 6 Social Studies classes will be photographed during class on 10/8, as well as any students who did not get their picture taken on 9/23.
Our school prepay to order pictures is now active until October 14th. Please see this information sheet and the link below: Weston High underclass photo prepay valid until Oct. 14th password whs24 Any questions regarding school pictures please inquire in the main office.
Senior Portraits
Due date for the completion of Senior Portraits is October 30th. We have selected two photographers for you to choose from for senior portraits this year. Many seniors have already had their senior portrait taken. If you haven’t, please be sure to schedule with one of our photographers. Robert Taylor has been our longstanding school photographer and offers reasonably priced packages and sittings for your senior portraits. He is scheduling seniors now, go to this link on his website. You can check out his website HERE.
Suzanne Sheridan is another photographer and Weston resident who has a rich tradition of photographing our students and families for their senior portraits. Please use this email address to be in contact with Suzanne: wshportraits@gmail.com and you can also check out her website. It is important that these get done as soon as possible so we can be sure to have all portraits ready for our yearbook editors this fall.
School Climate Committee
We will host our first School Climate Committee meeting on October 8th at 7:45am in the Main Office Conference Room. If you would like to attend as a parent/guardian on the committee please let me know so I can put you on the visitor calendar. We hope to have another great year of progress and great conversations to support student well-being, engagement and belonging! Part of the work of this team will be to take a closer look at our fall survey results and chart a course forward.
Senior Fall Trip
This year, the senior class will be taking a field trip to the IT Adventure Ropes Course in New Haven, which is the largest indoor ropes course in the world! The field trip will take place on Wednesday, October 16th.
To sign up for the trip, please hand in a printed and signed copy of the attached form(permission slip) along with a $45 check written out to Weston High School. Also, please sign the online waiver included on the permission slip.
Hispanic Heritage Month
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month beginning on September 15th through October 15th, the office of Congressman Jim Himes is holding an essay contest to honor Hispanic/Latinx icons and their legacy. The attached letter has information for any student interested in participating. Please contact Congressman Himes' office directly should you have any questions. Submissions must be received by Friday October 4th.
Career Speakers
The College and Career Center, led by Ms. Randi Green and our Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Kara Swezey are excited to announce the launch of a monthly Career Speakers Panel at Weston High School. We are seeking parents and community members who are willing to share their professional experiences and career journeys with our students. This is a wonderful opportunity to inspire and educate the next generation by offering them a glimpse into various career paths and industries. If you’re interested in talking about what you do, how you got there, and what your job is really like, we’d love to have you join us! Please fill out this form.
Math and Literacy Labs
Weston High School offers support to all students in reading, writing, and math through the Literacy Lab and Math Lab. Students may work with teachers both within their scheduled classes and in the library by appointment. Our past website's URL has changed so please bookmark the new link to reserve appointments. Drop-ins are also welcome. You can also access the Academic Support homepage by clicking the link HERE.
College Admissions Rep Visits
Every year in the fall our College & Career Center, led by Ms. Randi Green, welcomes so many College Admissions Reps so that our students have an opportunity to get a preview of a school and practice their questioning skills, as well as getting to understand the questions to ask to help them make informed decisions. We encourage our 11th and 12th graders to take advantage of these visits. Information about the rep visits can be found on our SchooLinks page. Students must have a pass and must let their classroom teacher know prior to attending a visit. Students can login to SchooLinks through ClassLink. Parents/guardians can follow the link HERE to login.
Previous Letters:
September 29th Week Ahead
September 22nd Week Ahead
September 15th Week Ahead
September 8th Week Ahead
September 1st Week Ahead
August 25th Week Ahead
August 16th Letter to Families
College & Career Center Quarterly Newsletter
Upcoming Events:
October 8: School Picture Day #2
October 11: Early Release - Staff Professional Development
October 16: PSAT (in school Sophomores & Juniors)
October 16: Senior Class Trip to IT Ropes Course in New Haven
October 16: NHS Induction (7pm Auditorium)
December 3: Junior College Kickoff
As always should you have any questions or concerns please call the main office and we can provide you with support to find the information or person you need to speak with.
Kindly,
Meghan
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